Adjustable joint for microphone

ABSTRACT

A microphone stand is provided that includes a dual mic frame that carries a first microphone and a second microphone.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Reference is made to US Application Serial Number 61/626,401, filed Sep.26, 2011 and entitled, “Adjustable Joint for Microphone” and whoseentire contents are incorporated herein by reference in their entiretyand for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an adjustable joint for usewith a microphone. More particularly, the present application involvesan adjustable joint for a microphone that allows for constrainedswiveling adjustment of an attached microphone or portion of amicrophone stand or boom to which the microphone is attached.

BACKGROUND

Microphones are used by performers and speakers during performances andmay be either held in the hand of the user or placed onto a stand duringuse. The use of a microphone stand allows the microphone to be locatedand fixed at a desired position thus allowing actors, musicalperformers, or other users free use of their hands and a consistent,known placement of the microphone. During certain performances, a usermay desire that the position of the microphone be adjusted. In suchinstances, the stand to which the microphone is mounted may feature anadjustable joint that includes a wing nut that can be loosened in orderto cause two plates that were interlocked through complimentary teethand urged against one another to be separated. The user may adjust themicrophone or the portion of the microphone stand holding the microphoneabout a pivot axis that extends in a horizontal direction. Once themicrophone is oriented to the desired position, the user may tighten thewing nut thus causing the two plates to be urged against one another andsubsequently relocked through interlocking of the complimentary teeth ofthe two plates. Although such adjustment mechanisms are capable ofadjusting a microphone during use, they are limited in their range ofadjustment and thus limited in applicability. Further, microphone standsare not capable of holding or positioning more than a single microphoneand thus may be limited in certain applications. As such, there remainsroom for variation and improvement in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, whichmakes reference to the appended Figs. in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a microphone stand that employs anadjustable joint in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an adjustable joint in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the adjustable joint of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a back view of the adjustable joint of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the adjustable joint of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable joint of FIG.2.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the adjustable joint of FIG. 1 in which a stemis positioned against the ball housing.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary embodimentof the adjustable joint.

FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly perspective view of an adjustable jointin accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11A is a font view of an adjustable joint in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11B is a bottom perspective view of the adjustable joint of FIG.11A.

FIG. 11C is a top perspective view of the adjustable joint of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an adjustable joint in accordance withone exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an exploded assembly perspective view of the adjustable jointof FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of an adjustable joint inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment in an unlocked configuration.

FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the adjustable joint of FIG.14 in a locked configuration.

FIG. 16A is a font view of an adjustable joint in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16B is a bottom perspective view of the adjustable joint of FIG.16A.

FIG. 16C is a top perspective view of the adjustable joint of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an adjustable joint in accordance withanother exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18A is a font view of an adjustable joint in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18B is a bottom perspective view of the adjustable joint of FIG.18A.

FIG. 18C is a top perspective view of the adjustable joint of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19A is a front side view of a ball housing in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 19B is a right side view of the ball housing of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 19C is a back side view of the ball housing of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 19D is a left side view of the ball housing of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 19E is a top view of the ball housing of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a microphone stand that includes anadjustable joint and a boom.

FIGS. 21A-21C are perspective views of a microphone stand that includesa pivoting joint and an adjustable joint in various configurations ofadjustment.

FIG. 22 is a side exploded assembly view of an adjustable joint inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a side view of a microphone stand with a dual mic framemounted onto a column in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of an adjustable joint in accordancewith another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a partial side exploded assembly view of a microphone standthat includes a dual mic frame, pivoting joint, first adjustable joint,second adjustable joint, and adjustable joints in accordance withanother exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of an adjustable joint and dualmic frame in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a housing located within a dual micframe.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a dual mic frame.

FIG. 29 is a top view of a lower section and a bottom view of an uppersection of a housing.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the lower section of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an adjustable joint with an insertpiece in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an adjustable joint and a movableplunger.

FIG. 33 is a side view of a microphone stand that has a dual mic framein accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a side view of a microphone stand that has a dual mic framein accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a side view of a microphone stand that has a dual mic framein accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a side view of the microphone stand of FIG. 35 adjusted toanother position.

FIG. 37 is a side view of an adjustable joint of a microphone stand inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features orelements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and notmeant as a limitation of the invention. For example, featuresillustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used withanother embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intendedthat the present invention include these and other modifications andvariations.

It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include allranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all rangesmentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentionedranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from110-150, 170-190, and 153-162.

Further, all limits mentioned herein include all other limits includedin the mentioned limits. For instance, a limit of up to 7 also includesa limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to 4.5.

The present invention provides for an adjustable joint 10 used inconnection with a microphone 66 that allows adjustment in certainorientations and prevents adjustment in other orientations. A performerusing the microphone 66 during a performance may desire the microphone66 be moved along a single arc. In such instances, the orientation ofthe microphone 66 in some directions other than in the direction of thesingle arc may be limited. However, the microphone 66 may be afforded agreater range of movement when adjusted into positions outside of aportion of the single arc. The adjustable joint 10 thus restrictscertain ranges of movement of the microphone 66.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the adjustable joint 10used in connection with a microphone 66 that is affixed to the end of aboom 70. A boom clutch 30 is attached to one end of the boom 70, and acounterweight 68 is attached to the opposite end of the boom clutch 30.A column 72 provides vertical height for the assembly, and theadjustable joint 10 is attached to the top of the column 72. The boomclutch 30 is attached to the end of the adjustable joint 10 oppositefrom the attachment position of the column 72. The orientation of theboom clutch 30, counterweight 68, boom 70, and microphone 66 can beadjusted with respect to the column 72 upon actuating the adjustablejoint 10. Once positioned into a desired orientation, the position ofthe boom clutch 30, counterweight 68, boom 70, and microphone 66 can befixed upon locking of the adjustable joint 10 by the user.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate an adjustable joint 10 in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment that includes a ball and socket connection that isused to afford repositioning of the microphone 66. A ball housing 16 ispresent that houses a ball 12. A stem 14 extends from the ball 12 andhas a male slot joint 34 located at its upper end. The boom clutch 30may feature a complimentary female joint that receives the male slotjoint 34 of the stem 14 so as to effect attachment of the boom clutch 30to the adjustable joint 10. However, it is to be understood that avariety of attachment mechanisms may be used to attach the adjustablejoint 10 to the boom clutch 30, microphone 66, or other component. Inyet other embodiments, the boom clutch 30, microphone 66, or othercomponent may be integrally formed with the stem 14.

The ball 12 and the inner surface of the ball housing 16 can becomplimentary in shape so that the ball 12 can rotate freely within theball housing 16. The material of the ball 12 can be selected so as togive the outer surface of the ball 12 a rough matt finish. Further, theinner surface of the ball housing 16 may be variously configured toprovide desired friction against the ball 12 so that an ease of movementbetween the ball 12 and the ball housing 16 may be realized. The innersurface of the ball housing 16 may be unpainted in certain embodimentsto prevent paint from rubbing off onto the surface of the ball 12 duringuse.

The ball housing 16 has a front side 18 denoted generally as the portionof the outer surface of the ball housing 16 below line A-A in FIG. 2.The ball housing 16 has an end 22 that is the portion of the outersurface of the ball housing 16 above line A-A. A slot 24 is defined inthe ball housing 16. The slot 24 is located on a portion of the frontside 18 and has a length 26 that extends into the end 22. The length 26of the slot 24 extends completely across the end 22 to a back side 20 ofthe ball housing 16 and is present over a portion of the back side 20.The back side 20 of the ball housing 16 is denoted as the portion of theouter surface of the ball housing 16 below line A-A and opposite fromthe front side 18. As such, the length 26 of the slot 24 may extend fromthe front side 18, across the entire end 22, and onto the back side 20.The length 26 of the slot 24 may be both arc shaped and linear shaped incertain embodiments. In yet other arrangements, the length 26 can becompletely arc shaped and may have the same radius or may have differentradii at certain locations.

The width 28 of the slot 24 may be varied along the length 26 of theslot 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the slot 24 has a generally oval shape atthe front side 18. The width 28 of the slot 24 increases and thendecreases along the length 26 at the front side 18. With reference toFIG. 5, the width 28 of the slot 24 is constant along the length 26 atthe end 22. However, it is to be understood that the width 28 need notbe constant in accordance with other exemplary embodiments along theentire length 26 of the slot 24 at the end 22. FIG. 4 shows the slot 24having a generally oval shape at the back side 20. Here, the width 28increases and then decreases along the length 26 at the back side 20.The shape and size of the slot 24 at the front side 18 is the same asthe shape and size of the slot 24 at the back side 20. However, it is tobe understood that the shape and/or size of the slot 24 at the frontside 18 may be different than the shape and/or size of the slot 24 atthe back side 20 in other embodiments. The width 28 of the slot 24 atthe end 22 is less than the maximum width 28 of the slot 24 at the frontside 18 and is less than the maximum width of the slot 24 at the backside 20. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the slot 24 is symmetricalin shape. However, it is to be understood that other arrangements arepossible in which the slot 24 is asymmetrical. The front side 18 and theback side 20 can be identified as being on opposite sides of line B-B asshown in FIG. 3 that bisects the center of the ball housing 16. Thefront side 18 and back side 20 may also both be below the end 22 that islocated above line A-A. The front side 18 and back side 20 may make up360° of the outer surface of the ball housing 16 along portions of theball housing 16 below the end 22.

The variations in width 28 along the length 26 of the slot 24 allow fordifferent ranges of movement of the ball 12 to be realized dependingupon the stem's 14 location along the length 26. The stem 14 extendsfrom the ball 12, and movement of the ball 12 within the ball housing 16will cause the stem 14 to be likewise moved due to their rigidattachment. The stem 14 may be moved against the ball housing 16 to thuslimit the movement of the ball 12 with respect to the ball housing 16.In this manner, the range of movement of the microphone 66 can becontrolled in a desired fashion. The range of movement of the ball 12and stem 14 may be greatest at the front side 18 and back side 20 andcan be the least at the end 22. However, it is to be understood thatother arrangements are possible in which the maximum width 28 at the end22 is greater than the maximum width 28 at the front side 18 and/or backside 20. As shown with reference to FIG. 7, a stem screw 32 may be usedin order to effect attachment of the stem 14 to the ball 12. In otherarrangements, the ball 12 and stem 14 may be integrally formed with oneanother. In yet other exemplary embodiments, various means may be usedto attach the stem 14 to the ball 12.

FIG. 8 shows the stem 14 located in the slot 24 at the front side 18 ofthe ball housing 16. The slot 24 is wider at the front side 18 than atthe end 22 thus affording a greater range of motion of the stem 14 atportions of this location. The stem 14 contacts the edge of the ballhousing 16 at the slot 24 and thus has its range of motion limited atthis point.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-5, the end 22 of the ball housing 16 has anouter surface that is curved. in shaped. The length 26 of the slot 24 atthe end 22 follows the path of an arc and likewise is curved in shape.The stem 14 and components attached to the stem 14 are thus limited inmovement along the arc length 26 of the slot 24 upon being moved throughthe slot 24 at the end 22. As such, the microphone 66 may be limited inmovement along an arc when so adjusted during a performance. Placementof the stem 14 within the slot 24 at either the front side 18 or backside 20 of the ball housing 16 allows for the stem 14 and componentsattached to the stem 14 to be adjusted outside of the arc length 24 ofthe slot 24 at the end 22 because the slot 24 has a greater width 28 atlocations at the front side 18 and back side 20. Although described asaffording no movement in the width 28 direction at the end 22, it is tobe understood that certain exemplary embodiments exist in which the stem14 may move some amount in the width 28 direction due to the fact thatthe slot 24 at the end 22 is slightly wider than the stem 14. In thisregard, the stem 14 can move some limited amount in the width 28direction at the end 22 so that clearance is afforded between the stem14 and the ball housing 16 at the end 22. In other arrangements, thestem 14 may be as wide as the slot 24 at the end 22 so that no movementin the width 28 direction is realized. In this regard, there will be aninterference fit between the stem 14 and the ball housing 16 at the end22 so that a user will have to exert some amount of force to move thestem 14 through the slot 24 at the end 22.

As discussed, the ball 12 is retained within the ball housing 16 andforms a ball and socket type connection that is limited in movement atcertain degrees due to the particular shape of slot 24. The stem 14 thatextends from ball 12 has a stem axis 64. The ball 12 is retained withinthe ball housing 16 in such a manner that the ball 12 may rotatecompletely 360° about the stem axis 64. As such, the ball 12, attachedstem 14, and components attached to the stem 14 such as the microphone66 may be free to rotate 360° about the stem axis 64. This rotationalfreedom may be present regardless of the location of the stem 14 in theslot 24. As such, the stem 14 may be free to rotate about the stem axis64 when the stem 14 is in the slot 24 at the end 22 or is in the slot 24at the front side 18 or back side 20 of the housing. Therefore, the ball12, attached stem 14, and components attached to the stem 14 such as themicrophone 66 can rotate 360° about the stem axis 64 when in the slot 24at the end 22 even though movement is limited in the arc length 26direction at the end 22 due to the shape of the slot 24 at the end 22.However, it is to be understood that other arrangements of theadjustable joint 10 are possible in which the ball 12, stem 14, andcomponents attached to the stem 14 such as the microphone 66 are limitedor even prevented from rotating about the stem axis 64.

The slot 24 may be formed in the ball housing 16 so that the edges ofthe ball housing 16 at the front side 18 and back side 20 are concave inshape along their entire lengths at the front side 18 and back side 20.Further, the slot 24 may be arranged so that the edges of the ballhousing 16 at the end 22 are convex in shape along their entire lengthsat the end 22. However, the edges of the ball housing 16 need not bearranged in these manners in other exemplary embodiments. For example,the edges of the ball housing 16 may be linear at certain locations, ormay be concave at the end 22.

A locking mechanism of the adjustable joint 10 is shown and describedwith reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The bottom of the ball 12 may restwithin a cup member 36 that is contained within the ball housing 16. Thecup member 36 has a cup shaped upper section 38 that can be shaped so asto be complimentary in shape to the ball 12. In other arrangements thecup shaped upper section 38 may be shaped so as to form a ringed contactaround a portion of the ball 12 so that the utmost lower portion of theball 12 does not contact the cup shaped upper section 38. An inclinedside wall 44 extends downward from the cup shaped upper section 38. Alower section 40 of the cup member 36 is located on the end of the cupmember 36 opposite from the cup shaped upper section 38. A cap member 52is rigidly attached to an end 23 of the ball housing 16 that is oppositethe end 22. The attachment between the cap member 52 and the end 23 maybe through a threaded connection in accordance with certain exemplaryembodiments. In other arrangements, the cap member 52 may be press fitonto the end 23 or attached with mechanical fasteners. Rigid attachmentof the cap member 52 to the ball housing 16 causes the cap member 52 tobe fixed to the ball housing 16 so that their positions relative to oneanother do not change. Although described as being rigidly attached tothe end 23, the cap member 52 need not be rigidly attached in otherarrangements.

The lower section 40 of the cup member 36 may rest onto an upper surface54 of the cap member 52. The cap member 36 may also have a receivingportion 56 located on its lower end. The receiving portion 56 canreceive and be attached to the upper end of the column 72. The receivingportion 56 can be arranged in a variety of manners so as to effectreleasable attachment to the column 72 or other component of themicrophone stand assembly such as the microphone 66 in certainarrangements. Further, other arrangements are possible in which thereceiving portion 56 is permanently attached to the column 72 or otherportion of the microphone stand assembly such that the adjustable joint10 is non-removable therefrom.

A tightening screw 58 may be mounted to the ball housing 16 and canextend through a wall of the ball housing 16 and into its interior. Aknob 60 is located at the end of the tightening screw 58 and can beattached thereto or integrally formed therewith. A portion of the ballhousing 16 is internally threaded and engages external threading on thetightening screw 58 so that rotation by the user causes the tighteningscrew 58 to move further into and out of the interior of the ballhousing 16. A plunger 62 that has a flat surface, and an angled surfaceextending from the flat surface, is located at the end of the tighteningscrew 58. The plunger 62 can be integrally formed with the tighteningscrew 58 or be a separate component that is attached thereto. Actuationof the knob 60 causes the plunger 62 to move further into and out of theinterior of the ball housing 16.

The tightening screw 58 is arranged so that the plunger 62 is locatedadjacent the inclined side wall 44. Movement of the plunger 62 againstthe inclined side wall 44 functions to produce forces on the cup member36 in both the horizontal (radial) and vertical (axial) directions dueto the inclined arrangement of the inclined side wall 44. A set screw 48may be located through the wall of the ball housing 16 on a sideopposite the tightening screw 58 to prevent the inclined side wall 44from moving in the horizontal (radial) direction at a certain point.Movement of the inclined side wall 44 in the vertical (axial) directioncauses the lower section 40 of the cup member 36 to lift off of theupper surface 54. Due to the rigid attachment between the cup shapedupper section 38 and the inclined side wall 44, movement of the inclinedside wall 44 in the vertical (axial) direction causes the cup shapedupper section 38 to likewise be moved in the vertical (axial) directionthus applying an upward force onto the ball 12 due to the engagementbetween the ball 12 and the cup shaped upper section 38. Forces appliedto the bottom of the ball 12 likewise cause the ball 12 to be urgedupwards onto the interior surface of the ball housing 16. The ballhousing 16 is a rigid member and thus will not move in response topressure applied onto it by the ball 12. Locking of the position of theball 12 with respect to the ball housing 16 will thus result. Thislocking will likewise fix the position of the stem 14 and all attachedcomponents such as the boom clutch 30, counter weight 68, boom 70, andmicrophone 66. The position of the microphone 66 may thus be locked intoa desired location.

When adjustment is desired, the user may rotate the knob 60 in theopposite direction so as to release pressure by the plunger 62 againstthe inclined side wall 44 which results in the removal of locking forcesbetween the ball 12 and the interior of the ball housing 16. The ball 12and stem 14 along with the attached components may then be adjusted to anew position as desired. It is to be understood that the lockingmechanism shown is exemplary and that others are possible in accordancewith other exemplary embodiments. For example, instead of an inclinedside wall 44, an insert that is wedge like in shape may be present andcan be disposed within an inclined depression at the bottom of the cupmember 36. The plunger 62 may be disposed within the insert and thetightening screw 58 can be actuated so that the insert can move againstthe cup member 36 and cause upward movement of the cup member 36 to lockthe ball 12 in place.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative exemplary embodiment of the adjustablejoint 10. The ball 12 and ball housing 16 are arranged in substantiallythe same manner as that previously discussed. A cup member 36 with a cupshaped upper section 38 may engage the outer surface of the ball 12 andforce same against the interior of the ball housing 16 as in priorembodiments. An inclined surface of the cup member 36 may engage aninclined surface of the set screw 48 in order to direct and limit themovement of the cup member 36. However, this arrangement may be modifiedin other embodiments. For example, the radial movement of the cup member36 may be completely limited by the interior walls of the ball housing16 so that the cup member 36 engages the interior walls of the ballhousing 16 in both a locked and unlocked state.

The mechanism for urging the cup member 36 against the ball 12 and thensubsequently against the ball housing 16 is different from that in priorexemplary embodiments. A housing 74 may be included that has a first rod76. The tightening screw 58 can be present and may be rotated so as tomove in a completely radial direction. A plunger 62 may be present atthe end of the tightening screw 58. Second and third rods 78 and 80 maybe present within the housing 74. The first rod 76 can be locatedbetween the second and third rods 78 and 80 and may engage the rods 78and 80 when the adjustable joint 10 is in the unlocked position. Thethird rod 80 is positioned against a wall of the housing 74 and isconstrained from moving any further in the radial direction due to thisengagement with the housing 74. Tightening of the tightening screw 58causes the plunger 62 to be moved into engagement with the second rod 78to cause forces to be imparted onto all three of the rods 76, 78, and80. Continued tightening will cause the middle, first rod 76 to be movedin the vertical, longitudinal direction as the rods 76, 78 and 80 havecurved surfaces that are in engagement with one another. The vertical,longitudinal movement will cause the first rod 76 to press against thebottom of the cup member 36 and move same into engagement with the ball12 to lock the ball 12 against the ball housing 16. The first rod 76 mayhave a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the second rod 78and/or the diameter of the third rod 80.

Rotation of the tightening screw 58 so that the plunger 62 disengagesthe second rod 78 causes the adjustable joint 10 to be released so thatthe ball 12 can again move with respect to the ball housing 16.Disengagement of the plunger 62 removes forces imparted onto the rods76, 78 and 80 so that the weight of the cup member 36 and/or the ball 12and any attached components will push the first rod 76 down and againstthe second and third rods 78 and 80. The curved surface engagement ofthe rods 76, 78 and 80 allows the middle first rod 76 to move downwardwith respect to the second and third rods 78 and 80 so that the firstand second rods 76 and 78 will move in the radial direction. The ball 12may then be moved with respect to the ball housing 16. Althoughdescribed as employing three rods 76, 78 and 80, it is to be understoodthat any number of rods may be used in accordance with other exemplaryembodiments to effect locking of the adjustable joint 10.

It is to be understood that in FIG. 9, the rods 76, 78 and 80 may restonto a platform within the housing 74 at locations proximate to theirends and not under their center section so that the plunger 62 can bemoved into engagement with the rod 78 without contacting the platform ofthe housing 74 that supports the rods 76, 78 and 80.

An alternative exemplary embodiment of the adjustable joint 10 is shownin FIG. 10 and includes components similar to those previously discussedwith reference to the embodiment of FIG. 9. The adjustable joint 10 mayhave a ball housing 16 that can be configured as previously discussed,and a repeat of this information is not necessary. A housing 74 may beincluded and may house three rods 76, 78 and 80. The second rod 78 isagain contacted by the tightening screw 58 and acts against the firstand third rods 76 and 80 to cause the cup member 36 to move upwards toin turn move the ball 12 against the ball housing 16 to lock theadjustable joint 10 in place. In this embodiment, the diameter of thesecond rod 78 can be greater than the diameter of the first rod 76. Thediameter of the second rod 78 may also be greater than the diameter ofthe third rod 80. The first rod 76 and the third rod 80 may have thesame diameter as one another. As such, the rod that engages thetightening screw 58 may have a diameter greater than the other rods ofthe adjustable joint 10. The three rods 76, 78 and 80 may be cylindricalin shape with curved outer surfaces that may engage one another. Aspring 100 can be located within the cap member 52 and may be biasedupwards in the axial direction so as to urge the housing 74 upwards andagainst the cup member 36. The cap member 52 may include a bottomportion that has an outer gripping surface capable of being grasped androtated by the user.

An end piece 102 may also be included in the embodiment of FIG. 10. Theend piece 102 may engage the interior of the cap member 52 through athreaded engagement and may be located either within the cap member 52or on a lower end of the cap member 52. In some arrangements, the spring100 may engage the cap member 52 such that the spring 100 engages thecap member 52 on its lower end and the housing 74 on its upper end. Thespring 100 may be provided in order to help properly position thecomponents of the adjustable joint 10 and may cause the housing 74 to belocated in close proximity to the cup member 36 so that the tighteningscrew 58 will properly engage the second rod 78. The end piece 102 mayhave a groove, threaded connection, or other member capable ofengagement with a column 72 of the microphone stand or other member.

An alternative exemplary embodiment of the adjustable joint 10 isdisclosed in FIGS. 11A-11C. The adjustable joint 10 includes several ofthe features previously discussed with reference to the embodiments inFIGS. 9 and 10, and a repeat of this information is not necessary.However, some of the features in FIGS. 9 and 10 are missing while othernew features are added. For example, the embodiment in FIGS. 11A-11C mayinclude the three rods 76, 78 and 80 with the second rod 78 of thelargest diameter and engaging the tightening screw 58, but may lack thespring 100. A spacer 104 may be included in the embodiment of FIGS.11A-11C and can be located in the axial direction between the ballhousing 16 and the cap member 52. The spacer 104 may be located on theexterior of the adjustable joint 10 so that it forms a portion of theouter surface of the adjustable joint 10. The spacer 104 may be rigidlyattached to the bottom of the housing 16 via a press fit, welded, orthreaded connection such that the spacer 104 does not move relative tothe housing 16. The cap member 52 may or may not engage the spacer 104at the bottom end of the spacer 104. The cap member 52, and possibly endpiece 102 if present, may rotate relative to the spacer 104 and thehousing 16. Relative rotation between the cap member 52 and the spacer104 may be achieved through a particular connection of these elements orthrough other means. For example, a groove may be present on theinterior of the spacer 104 and a projection of the cap member 52 can belocated within this groove and retained therein via projections of thespacer 104 proximate to the groove. In use, the user may grasp thebottom graspable portion of the cap member 52 and rotate this componentso that internal threads in the interior of the cap member 52 engagecomplimentary external threading on a column 72 of the microphone stand132 or other member.

As shown with reference to FIG. 11C, the ball 12 does not include a stem14 but rather includes a hollow cavity that can be fitted with internalthreading. The hollow cavity may extend all the way through the ball 12or may extend only some distance into the ball 12. A stem 14 or othermember of the microphone stand 132 can be screwed onto the internalthreading of the cavity of the ball 12 so that some other member may beattached to the adjustable joint 10 to allow the adjustable joint 10 toadjustably position this other member.

FIGS. 12 and 13 disclose an alternative exemplary embodiment of theadjustable joint 10. The adjustable joint 10 may include a ball housing16 with a slot 24 as previously discussed and a repeat of thisinformation is not necessary. The stem 14 can be threaded on its lowerend and may be received within a cavity of the ball 12. A receivingportion 106 is present on the upper end of the stem 14 and can includeexternal threading on its outer surface that can engage complimentaryinternal threading of another component of the microphone stand 132. Theuser may tighten the knob 60 in order to effect locking of theadjustable joint 10 so that the ball 12 and stem 14 are locked into aparticular position. The cup member 36 and cap member 52 can be rigidlyattached to one another. The members 36 and 52 may be separatecomponents that are rigidly attached to one another via a bolt throughtheir axial centers. Alternatively the cup member 36 and cap member 52can be welded or integrally formed to one another. Any type ofarrangement may be used to cause the cup member 36 and the cap member 52to be connected to one another so that they are a single component anddo not move relative to one another. The cap member 52 may have a flange108 arranged on its outer surface that may form the largest portion ofthe cap member 52 in the radial direction. The flange 108 may directlyface the end 23 of the ball housing 16.

With reference now to FIGS. 14 and 15, cross-sectional views of theadjustable joint 10 of FIGS. 12 and 13 are illustrated. The adjustablejoint 10 is shown in an unlocked configuration in FIG. 14 in which theball 12 can rotate or move freely with respect to the ball housing 16 sothat the stem 14 and receiving portion 106 can be moved to a desiredposition. The plunger 62 of the tightening screw 58 does not engage thecup member 36. The cup member 36 can be retained within the ball housing16 via the set screw 48. Downward movement of the cup member 36, in thiscase along the axis 112 of the adjustable joint 10, is limited by thepresence of the set screw 48 such that the cup member 36 cannot beremoved from the ball housing 16 due to engagement with the set screw48. Upward movement of the cup member 36 along the axis 112 will belimited due to the presence of the ball 12 and due to the presence ofthe upper portion of the ball housing 16. Since the cap member 52 isrigidly connected to the cup member 36, the cap member 52 is likewiseprevented from being disassembled or removed from the ball housing 16.Although described as being connected through the use of a set screw 48,the cup member 36 and cap member 52 may be retained on the ball housing16 in a variety of other manners in accordance with other exemplaryembodiments.

The cup member 36 and cap member 52 are free to rotate about the axis112 such that they can rotate freely 360° about the axis 112 and hencerotate relative to the ball housing 16 and/or ball 12. The flange 108 ofthe cap member 52 and the lower end 23 of the ball housing 16 can beseparated from one another some space identified as gap 110. The flange108 may directly face the end 23 such that no other components arebetween these two.

In order to lock the adjustable joint 10 into place so that the movementof the ball 12 and stem 14 relative to ball housing 16 is prevented, theuser will grasp the knob 60 and rotate same. The tightening screw 58 isin threaded engagement with the ball housing 16 and turning of the knob60 causes the tightening screw 58 to move in the radial directiontowards the axis 112. The plunger 62 at the end of the tightening screw58 may engage the inclined side wall 44 and the cup member 36 will beforced upwards to cause the ball 12 to be pushed against the interior ofthe ball housing 16 and locked. The locked position of the adjustablejoint 10 is illustrated with reference to FIG. 15. The plunger 62 urgesthe cup member 36 upwards. Since the cup member 36 is rigidly attachedto the cap member 52, the cap member 52 will likewise be drawn upwardsalong axis 112. This upwards movement of the cap member 52 will causethe gap 110 to be either reduced or eliminated. The flange 108 maycontact the end 23 causing the gap 110 to be completely eliminated asshown in FIG. 15. However, it is to be understood that in the lockedposition the gap 110 may still be present but reduced in size from thatin the unlocked position of the adjustable joint 10 in other exemplaryembodiments.

Although described as being moved upwards upon moving from the unlockedto the locked position, the cup member 36 need not move upwards in otherexemplary embodiments. For example, the receiving portion 56 can beattached to a stand or other component of the microphone stand 132 insome arrangements. There may be a great deal of weight attached to thereceiving portion 56 thus preventing the cap member 52 and cup member 36from moving upwards in the axial direction 112. Tightening of thetightening screw 58 may cause the ball housing 16 to be moved downwardsin the axial direction 112. Further, combinations of movement betweenthe ball housing 16 and cup member 36 may exist in other embodiments.The relative motion in the adjustable joint 10 may be to cause thesemembers to be moved towards one another in the axial direction 112 uponlocking of the adjustable joint 10.

FIGS. 16A-16C disclose an alternative exemplary embodiment of theadjustable joint 10. The adjustable joint 10 may include featurespreviously discussed with reference to the exemplary embodiment in FIGS.12-15. A tightening ring 114 can be present on the external threading ofthe receiving portion 106. The tightening ring 114 can be adjusted alongthe length of the receiving portion 106 as desired. Attachment of acomponent to the receiving portion 106 may be made, and the tighteningring 114 can be rotated by the user so that the tightening ring 114 isbrought into tight engagement with the attached component to effect amore secure connection. In other arrangements, the tightening ring 114can be used to demarcate a lower end of the receiving portion 106, ormay be used for other purposes as desired.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of theadjustable joint 10. The adjustable joint 10 is connected to the top ofa column 72. A connecting portion 116 at the top of the column 72 mayinclude male threading that engages the complimentary female threadingof the cap member 52. The user may position the adjustable joint 10 ontothe connecting portion 116 and rotate the cap member 52 which will causethe shoulder 108 to likewise rotate but will not cause rotation of theball housing 16 or ball 12. The connecting portion 116 and an outersurface of the cap member 52 can be provided with grooves oriented in adirection perpendicular to the axis 112 to act as finger grips to assistthe user in grasping and rotating these portions to effect attachment.The remaining components can be as previously disclosed and theirdescription need not be repeated. It is noted that the stem 14 ispositioned within the slot 24 and locked in the slot 24 within a widerportion of the slot 24 and such that the axis of the stem 14 is notperpendicular to axis 112.

An alternative exemplary embodiment of the adjustable joint 10 is shownin FIGS. 18A-18C. The components of the adjustable joint 10 may beprovided and operate as previously discussed and a repeat of thisinformation is not necessary. However, the ball housing 16 may bedesigned differently than in previously exemplary embodiments and mayallow for additional functionality. The slot 24 may be shapeddifferently than the slot 24 in other exemplary embodiments. The slot 24may include four slot portions 118, 120, 122 and 124 into which the stem14 may be disposed. Once in one of the slot portions 118, 120, 122 or124, the stem 14 and hence ball 12 and receiving portion 106 cannotrotate about the axis 126 of the ball housing 16. The slot portions 118,120, 122, and 124 are defined on their bottoms and sides by the ballhousing 16 such that they may be made just wide enough to accommodatethe stem 14 and prevent the stem 14 from moving generally left forright, and more particularly about the axis 126. However, the upper endsof the slot portions 118, 120, 122 and 124 are open to allow the stem 14to be moved up out of the slot portions 118, 120, 122 and 124 such thatthe stem 14 can in fact rotate about an axis of rotation perpendicularto the axis 126. The remaining portion of the slot 24 is open such thatessentially the entire end 22 of the ball housing 16 is open.

The ball housing 16 may be shown with greater detail with reference toFIGS. 19A-19E. The front side 18 of the ball housing 16 is shown withreference to FIG. 19A and the first slot portion 118 is illustrated. Thestem 14 can be moved into the first slot portion 118 by the user and theuser may then use the microphone stand 132 without having to actuallytighten the tightening screw 58 or otherwise lock the adjustable joint10. Although the stem 14 and any attached components may rotate upwardsout of the first slot portion 118, the adjustable joint 10 may bearranged so that gravity causes the stem 14 and attached components tobe pulled down to the bottom of the first slot portion 118 in thedirection along axis 126. Therefore, the natural position of the stem 14will be to engage the bottom of the ball housing 16 forming the firstslot portion 118. The stem 14 will be prevented from rotating about theaxis 126 due to the left and right side walls of the ball housing 16forming the first slot portion 118. The stem 14 can thus be preventedfrom moving even if the locking mechanism is not actuated and theadjustable joint 10 is in the unlocked position. The first slot portion118 may allow for a known positioning to be achieved for the componentheld by the adjustable joint 10 so that the user can quickly andaccurately locate the stem 14 and attached component during use.

The remaining second, third and fourth slot portions 120, 122 and 124are shown with reference to FIGS. 19B-19D and can be arranged and canfunction in a manner similar to that of the first slot portion 118 sothat different known or set locations of the stem 14 and attachedcomponent can be realized. A top view of the ball housing 16 is shown inFIG. 19E. The first and second slot portions 118 and 120 are located180° from one another about axis 126 and demarcate the terminal ends ofthe slot 24 and thus its entire length 26. The third and fourth slotportions 122 and 124 are 180° from one another and are both 90° from thefirst and second slot portions 118 and 120. The third and fourth slotportions 122 and 124 demarcate the widest point of the slot 24 and thusthe widest width 28 of the slot 24.

The remaining portion of the slot 24 outside of the slot portions 118,120, 122, and 124 may represent generally the entire end 22 of the ballhousing 12 minus some amount of the ball housing 12 that extends betweenthe slot portions 118, 120, 122 and 124. This portion of the slot 24 canbe circular in shape as illustrated with reference to FIG. 19E. All ofthe slot portions 118, 120, 122 and 124 may be the same size as oneanother or may be variously sized in accordance with different exemplaryembodiments. Although described as not being locked when in the slotportions 118, 120, 122 and 124, the stem 14 may in fact be locked whenlocated within one of these portions 118, 120, 122 or 124. It is to beunderstood that depending upon how the ball housing 16 is oriented withrespect to the ground, the stem 14 and components mounted to the stem 14may or may not have a natural tendency to remain within the slotportions 118, 120, 122 or 124. In some instances, the stem 14 andmounted components will have a tendency to remain in one or more of theslot portions 118, 120, 122 and/or 124 and will have a tendency to fallout of or not remain in the remaining slot portions 118, 120, 122 and/or124. Further, although described as being symmetrically located aboutthe axis 126 and being four in number, the slot portions 118, 120, 122and 124 can be variously positioned about the axis 126 or may beprovided in any number. For example, from 1-5, from 5-10, from 10-20, orup to 30 slot portions may be provided in accordance with otherexemplary embodiments.

FIG. 20 discloses an upper portion of a microphone stand 132 in which apair of the adjustable joints 10 are included and incorporated for usewith a boom 70. The first adjustable joint 10 is attached to a boomclutch 30 of the microphone stand 132 on its upper end, and may beattached to a column 72 (not shown) on its lower end. This firstadjustable joint 10 can be configured and provided as per the variousembodiments illustrated and discussed with reference to FIG. 10. Acounterweight 68 is on one side of the boom clutch 30, and a telescopingarm 128 can be present on an opposite side of the boom clutch 30. Theuser may grasp and rotate a locking member 130 in order to extend andretract the telescoping arm 128 as desired to achieve a preferred lengthof this portion of the boom 70. The user may adjust the locking member130 so that the telescoping arm 128 is locked into place once it isextended to its desired length. A second adjustable joint 10 can beattached to an end of the telescoping arm 128. The second adjustablejoint 10 can be configured and provided as per the various embodimentsillustrated and discussed with reference to FIGS. 11-17. A microphone orother portion of the microphone stand 132 may be attached to the secondadjustable joint 10. The two adjustable joints 10 can be adjusted intodesired positions so that the boom 70 and other components of themicrophone stand 132 are likewise placed into desired locations duringuse.

FIGS. 21A-21C disclose a portion of a microphone stand 132 in accordancewith one exemplary embodiment. The adjustable joint 10 is included andmay be arranged to include components of previous exemplary embodiments.The ball housing 16 may be as that disclosed with respect to FIGS. 18and 19. The internal components of the adjustable joint 10 that allowthe ball 12 to be locked and unlocked may be as that disclosed in any ofthe exemplary embodiments described herein and a repeat of thisinformation is not necessary. The adjustable joint 10 may be attached toa pivoting joint 134 through a threaded connection at the cap member 52.Other types of connection may be made to effect attachment of theadjustable joint 10 to the pivoting joint 134.

The pivoting joint 134 is adjustable about a pivoting axis 136 that isperpendicular to the axis 126 of the ball housing 16 illustrated inprevious figures. The pivoting joint 134 may include a first section 138that is in pivoting engagement with a second section 140. The sections138 and 140 can be placed into sliding engagement through a race typeconnection, or may feature interlocking teeth. The first section 138 maybe the portion of the pivoting joint 134 that is in engagement with theadjustable joint 10 such that the adjustable joint 10 is carried by thefirst section 138. The user may rotate the first section 138 about theaxis 136 relative to the second section 140 to a desired location sothat the adjustable joint 10 is moved to a desired location. Rotationabout axis 136 is illustrated upon comparison of FIGS. 21A, 21B and 21C.

Once the first section 138 has been rotated to a desired position, atightening screw 142 disposed through the first and second sections 138and 140 can be tightened. This action causes the first and secondsections 138 and 140 to be drawn against one another or to be moretightly held into engagement with one another such that they are lockedin place and cannot rotate relative to one another about the axis 136.However, it is to be understood that other arrangements of causing thefirst and second sections 138 and 140 to be locked can be employed inother versions. For instance, previously described techniques forlocking the adjustable joint 10 may be used. The pivoting joint 134 maybe arranged so that it can pivot about axis 134 but cannot pivot aboutany other axis.

The adjustable joint 10 can be attached to the pivoting joint 134 sothat the cap member 52 is not capable of rotating relative to thepivoting joint 134.

The stem 14 is located within the first slot portion 118 in FIG. 21A andits movement is restrained in certain directions even if the adjustablejoint 10 is not locked. Although capable of rotating forward in FIG.21A, the stem 14 and attached receiving portion 106 cannot rotate to theleft or right or backwards due to the arrangement of the first slotportion 118 in the ball housing 16. In FIG. 21B, the stem 14 remains inthe first slot portion 118 and is restrained from moving down, to theleft or to the right. The stem 14 may move upwards in FIG. 21B, but thismay only be true if a user actually applies force to the stem 14 orcomponents carried by the stem 14 because of the weight of thesedevices. In FIG. 21C, the stem 14 is partially within the second slotportion 120 and partially within a section of the slot 24 that does notdefine any of the slot portions 118, 120, 122 and 124. The adjustablejoint 10 is locked in FIG. 21C.

Another exemplary embodiment of the adjustable joint 10 is shown in FIG.22 in which the adjustable joint 10 may be affixed to a dual mic frame144. The adjustable joint 10 can include components previously discussedsuch as those disclosed and described with respect to FIG. 10. However,the cap member 52 may be either missing or modified from that inpreviously disclosed embodiments. Portions of the dual mic frame 144 mayfunction as the cap member 52 and a locking member 146 may engage thedual mic frame 144 through a threaded engagement and may function tohelp retain certain components of the adjustable joint 10. Thetightening screw 58 can be disposed through an aperture of the dual micframe 144 to engage the second rod 78 which may have a larger diameterthan the first rod 76 and the third rod 80. The use of a rod 78 thatengages the tightening screw 58 that is of a greater diameter than theother rods 76 and 80 that do not engage the tightening screw 58 maycause a greater amount of pressure to be applied to the cup member 36upon tightening the tightening screw 58.

An alternative arrangement of the microphone stand 132 is shown in FIG.23. The microphone stand 132 includes a dual mic frame 144 that ismounted onto a column 72 by way of a pivoting joint 134. Although notshown, a base may be located at the bottom of the column 72 forsupporting the other components of the microphone stand 132. Thepivoting joint 134 allows the dual mic frame 144 to pivot with respectto the column 72 about the axis 136 so that any components of themicrophone stand 132 supported by the dual mic frame 144 will also bepivoted about the axis 136. The dual mic frame 144 is designed to becapable of holding two microphones 66 (not shown). In this regard, oneof the microphones 66 can be used for a drummer of a band while theother microphone 66 can be positioned for use with a guitarist or leadsinger. The microphones 66 can be directly connected to the dual micframe 144, or adjustable joints 10 or other components may be includedto allow for the microphones 66 to be properly positioned. As shown, thedual mic frame 144 is directly attached to a first adjustable joint 148that can in turn be connected to a first arm 152. A microphone 66 (notshown) may be located at the end of the first arm 152, or additionalarms or adjustable joints may be located at the end of the first arm152. The first adjustable joint 148 may be adjusted so that the stem 14and hence first arm 152 are moved to a desired position. The knob 60associated with the first adjustable joint 148 can be tightened to lockthe position of the ball 12 of the first adjustable joint 148 in place.

A second adjustable joint 150 may be included and can extend from a sideof the dual mic frame 144 opposite the first adjustable joint 148. Asecond arm 154 can be connected to the stem 14 of the second adjustablejoint 150 and a microphone 66 (not shown) may be mounted on the secondarm 154 or may be attached to other components that are in turn mountedto the second arm 154. The positioning of the second microphone 66 maybe achieved by positioning the ball 12 and stem 14 of the secondadjustable joint 150. The second adjustable joint 150 can be locked intoplace upon actuation of the knob 60 associated with the secondadjustable joint 150. Control knobs 158 may be provided and may be usedto effect connection of the adjustable joints 148 and 150 to the dualmic frame 144. The control knobs 158 may be threaded onto the dual micframe 144 and may be provided with a thread stop 160 to prevent the userfrom being able to remove the control knobs 158 from the dual mic frame144. Additionally or alternatively, a snap ring 156 may be used to causethe control knobs 158 to be attached to the dual mic frame 144 so thatthey cannot be removed by the user. In other arrangements, the user maybe able to remove the control knobs 158 from the dual mic frame 144. Theuser may remove the first and/or second adjustable joints 148/150 fromthe dual mic frame 144 and can attach other components or no componentsof the microphone stand 132 to the dual mic frame 144 if desired.Although the adjustable joints 148 and 150 may be removably attached tothe dual mic frame 144, they may be permanently attached to the dual micframe 144 in other exemplary embodiments.

Another exemplary embodiment of an adjustable joint 10 is shown incross-sectional view in FIG. 24. This adjustable joint 10 may be the oneshown as the first and second adjustable joints 148 and 150 in FIG. 23,or one or both of the adjustable joints 148 and/or 150 can be differentthan the one disclosed in FIG. 24. A plate 162 may be present within anopen end of the dual mic frame 144 and an aperture can be disposedthrough the dual mic frame 144 at this location so that a tighteningscrew 58 can be inserted into and moved within the interior of the dualmic frame 144. The adjustable joint 10 may include a housing 74 that hasan upper section 164 and a lower section 166 that contact one another.The lower section 166 may rest on the plate 162 and may or may not bepermanently attached to the plate 162. The three rods 76, 78 and 80 maybe housed between the upper and lower sections 164 and 166. The threerods 76, 78 and 80 may have the same length and diameter, or thediameter of the second rod 78 that engages the tightening screw 58 canbe larger than the diameter of either of the rods 76 or 80 that may havethe same diameter as one another. The adjustable joint 10 in FIG. 24 isshown in an unlocked state. Movement of the tightening screw 58 towardsthe rods and into engagement with the second rod 78 pushes the third rod80 to the right in FIG. 24 and causes the first rod 76 to move upwardsand thus in the direction along axis 126. Upward movement of the firstrod 76 pushes the first rod 76 against the bottom of the upper section164 and in turn causes the upper section 164 to move upwards in thedirection along axis 126.

The adjustable joint 10 may include a movable plunger 168 that has aface that engages the upper surface of the upper section 164. Movementof the upper section 164 along the axis 126 causes the movable plunger168 to likewise move upwards in the direction of the axis 126. The topof the rod of the movable plunger 168 engages a plate 176 that in turnwill be urged upwards upon upward movement of the movable plunger 168. Aring cup 174 may be located on top of the plate 176 and a portion of thebottom of the ball 12 can rest within the ring cup 174. Upward movementof the plate 176 acts on the ring cup 174 to in turn cause it to moveupwards in the direction of axis 126. This action is transferred to theball 12 to push the ball 12 upwards in the direction of axis 126 andagainst the interior of the ball housing 16 to lock the ball 12 in placerelative to the ball housing 16.

Reversal of the tightening screw 58 causes a reversal of theabovementioned movements so that the adjustable joint 10 becomesunlocked to allow the ball 12 to move relative to the ball housing 16.Pulling the tightening screw 58 away from the second rod 78 causes thepressure on the first rod 76 to be released to allow it to movedownwards in the direction of axis 162. This likewise causes the uppersection 164 to move downwards, the movable plunger 168 to movedownwards, and then the plate 176 to move downwards. Since pressure isno longer being applied to the ring cup 174, the ring cup may movedownwards as well to thus remove pressure on the ball 12 to allow theball 12 to move. Gravity is not needed to effect this unlocking. Themovable portions of the adjustable joint 10 can be placed into acondition in which they are loose to allow the ball 12 to move withinthe ball housing 16 based upon a minimum amount of force being appliedby the user to push the ball 12 within the ball housing 16 back andforth.

The remaining components of the adjustable joint 10 may function toconnect the ball housing 16 to the dual mic frame 144 and to provide ahousing for the movable portions of the adjustable joint 10 betweenlocking and unlocking. An insert piece 170 may house the rod portion ofthe movable plunger 168. The insert piece 170 may be made in someembodiments so that it is not movable with respect to the dual mic frame144 thus allowing the movable plunger 168 to move relative to the insertpiece 170. A ring 172 may be included and may be rigidly attached to theinsert piece 170 so that the insert piece 170 does not move relative tothe ring 172. This attachment may be a press fit connection, a threadedconnection, or a welded connection in various arrangements. Anattachment component 178 may be included and the ball housing 16 may bethreaded onto the attachment component 178 to cause it to be attached,or may be attached via any other method. The attachment component 178may be rigidly attached to the ring 172 so that the ring 172 cannot movewith respect to the attachment component 178.

The control knob 158 may be attached to the attachment component 178 sothat when attached they do not move relative to one another. Thisattachment may be via a threaded connection or by any other means. Thecontrol knob 158 may be capable of being removed from the control knob158, or the control knob 158 and the attachment component 178 may bepermanently attached to one another so that the user cannot remove thesecomponents. The control knob 158 may be capable of engaging the dual micframe 144. This engagement may be via external threading on the end ofthe dual mic frame 144 that can engage complimentary internal threadingof the control knob 158. The user may be able to attach and detach thecontrol knob 158 from the dual mic frame 144. However, in somearrangements, the control knob 158 can be fitted with a snap ring 156 ora thread blocking member to prevent the user from removing the controlknob 158. When attached, the control knob 158 does not move relative tothe attachment component 178 or the dual mic frame 144 and the movableportions of the adjustable joint 10 move relative to the control knob158 when they are moved between the locked and unlocked positions.Again, it is to be understood that the components illustrated anddescribed in FIG. 24 are only exemplary and that other arrangements orcomponents are possible in other exemplary embodiments.

Another exemplary embodiment of the microphone stand 132 is disclosed inFIG. 25 in which a dual mic frame 144 is included and is capable ofbeing attached to two adjustable joints 148 and 150. The adjustablejoints 148 and 150 may be the same as one another or different from oneanother in their construction. The dual mic frame 144 is triangular inshape with two legs receiving the adjustable joints 148 and 150 and withthe third leg arranged as the pivoting joint 134. The pivoting joint 134includes a first section 138 that engages a second section 140 that canbe a portion of the dual mic frame 144.

A column 72 (not shown) or other portion of the microphone stand 132 canbe attached to the first section 138 and may be rotated relative to thedual mic frame 144. The tightening screw 142 can be tightened to drawthe sections 138 and 140 tightly into engagement with one another toprevent the pivoting joint 134 from moving.

The dual mic frame 144 may receive a first adjustable joint 148 that isshown in exploded view in FIG. 25. The ball housing 16 may be as thatdisclosed and discussed relative to FIGS. 18 and 19. The components ofthe first adjustable joint 148 may include a housing with a lowersection 166 and upper section 164 that contains rods 76, 78 and 80. Thefirst adjustable joint 148 may also include a movable plunger 168, aninsert piece 170, ring 172, control knob 158, attachment component 178,plate 176, ring cup 174, ball 12, stem 14, and receiving portion 106.The aforementioned components may be arranged and function as previouslydiscussed with respect to other exemplary embodiments, or may bedifferently arranged and function differently than those previouslydiscussed. The first arm 152 may be attached to the receiving portion106 and can be moved and positioned due to the adjustability and lockingability of the first adjustable joint 148. A locking member 130 may becarried by the first arm 152 and can be used to extend the length of thetelescoping arm 128 relative to the first arm 152. The user may spin thelocking member 130 to release pressure on the telescoping arm 128 toallow it to be extended relative to the first arm 152 to a desireddegree. The user may then tighten the locking member 130 to lock theposition of the telescoping arm 128 relative to the first arm 152. Anadjustable joint 10 can be attached to the end of the telescoping arm128. This adjustable joint 10 can be configured the same as thatpreviously disclosed with reference to FIG. 18. However, the adjustablejoint 10 can be variously configured and include components andconfigurations in any manner as disclosed herein. A microphone 66 (notshown) or other component of the microphone stand 132 can be attached tothe receiving portion 106.

A second adjustable joint 150 may be included on the dual mic frame 144on the third leg of the dual mic frame 144. The second adjustable joint150 may be configured the same as that of the first adjustable joint 148or may be differently configured. The other components attached to thesecond adjustable joint 150 such as the second arm 154, locking member130, telescoping arm 128, and adjustable joint 10 may be the same asthose previously discussed or may be different in other exemplaryembodiments.

The dual mic frame 144 may include three adjustable joints thereon. Oneof the adjustable joints 134 may only be capable of pivoting about asingle axis 136, while the other two adjustable joints 148 and 150 maybe capable of pivoting about more than one axis and may or may not becapable of being positioned perpendicular to the single axis 136.

FIG. 26 discloses another exemplary embodiment of the adjustable joint10 that can be used in any of the embodiments disclosed herein. Theadjustable joint 10 is used in conjunction with a dual mic frame 144that may be similar to those as previously discussed. The adjustablejoint 10 can be attached to a threaded end of the dual mic frame 144 andmay include a lower section, 166, upper section 164, first rod 76,second rod 78, and third rod 80 that can be the same as disclosedherein. A movable plunger 168 may be provided along with an insert piece170 that may be the same as those disclosed herein or different thanthose disclosed herein. A control knob 158, attachment component 178,plate 176, and ring cup 174 may be included and may be arranged andfunction as those disclosed herein or may be arranged and functiondifferently than as discussed herein. The ball 12, stem 14, ball housing16 and first arm 152 may likewise be included and can be the same asother exemplary embodiments discussed herein.

Various components of the dual mic frame 144 and the adjustable joint 10are disclosed with reference to FIGS. 27-32. In FIG. 27, an end of thedual mic frame 144 is shown with the housing 74 shown located within thedual mic frame 144. The upper section 164 of the housing 74 is visibleand may be located completely within the dual mic frame 144. The housing74 is shown removed from the dual mic frame 144 in FIG. 28 such that theplate 162 is visible. The plate 162 is located rearward of the openingthrough which the aperture that allows the tightening screw 58 to enteris located. External threading on the end of the dual mic frame 144 isshown that receives the control knob 158, ball housing 16, or otherthreaded member of the adjustable joint 10.

One embodiment of the housing 74 is shown in FIG. 29. The lower section166 of the housing 74 is shown as having a receiving groove for thetightening screw 58. An additional cavity is included in the lowersection 166 that receives the three rods 76, 78 and 80 that are stackedonto one another in a triangular type arrangement in which the secondrod 78 is located closest to the receiving groove for the tighteningscrew 58. Again, the second rod 78 may be larger than rods 76 and 80 indiameter or may have the same diameter as the rods 76 and 80. The uppersection 164 has a groove that accommodates upward movement of the firstrod 76, and possibly the second and third rods 78 and 80 when theadjustable joint 10 is placed into the locking position. FIG. 30 shows aperspective view of the lower section 166 and the rods 76, 78 and 80. Aportion of the first rod 76 is shown as extending upwards and beinglocated above the upper end of the lower section 166, while the otherrods 78 and 80 are all located below the upper end of the lower section166.

A perspective view of portions of the adjustable joint 10 is shown inFIG. 31 in which the insert piece 170 is shown located within the ballhousing 16 and the control knob 158. The control knob 158 may haveinternal threading that allows it to be attached to complimentaryexternal threading of the dual mic frame 144. Another view of theadjustable joint 10 is illustrated in FIG. 32 along with the movableplunger 168. Other components of the adjustable joint 10 may be viewedin FIG. 32 that may be connected to the control knob 158.

Another arrangement of the microphone stand 132 is shown with referenceto FIG. 33. A dual mic frame 144 is included and may rest on the column72 and can be adjusted via the pivoting joint 134. A pair of adjustablejoints 148 and 150 are attached to the dual mic frame 144 and can carrytheir own microphone 66 (not shown) so that a pair of microphones 66 canbe appropriately positioned and used by different musicians if desired.The first arm 152 is located downward towards the floor, and the secondarm 154 is adjusted so as to extend generally in the vertical directionupwards. An adjustable joint 10 is located at the end of the telescopingarm 128 and can be removed if desired. The various components of themicrophone stand 132 can be configured as disclosed herein and a repeatof this information is not necessary.

The microphone stand 132 is also shown in FIG. 34 and may includecomponents as disclosed herein. A distance 180 from the rotation pointof knob 60 of the first adjustable joint 148 to the knob 60 of thesecond adjustable joint 150 may be 73 millimeters in one embodiment, butmay be from 50-100 millimeters in accordance with other exemplaryembodiments. A distance 182 from the center of the ball 12 of the secondadjustable joint 150 to the bottom portion of the second section 140 ofthe pivoting joint 134 may be 104 millimeters in one embodiment, but maybe from 90-150 millimeters or up to 200 millimeters in accordance withother exemplary embodiments. The control knob 158 of either or both ofthe adjustable joints 148, 150 may have an outer diameter from 39millimeters to 44 millimeters. The control knobs 158 may have knurlingon its outer diameter that is 10 millimeters in length. The length maybe in the axial direction 126. The control knobs 158 may have an overalllength that can be 15 millimeters in the axial direction 126.

FIGS. 35 and 36 show adjustment of the first and second adjustablejoints 148 and 150 into different positions relative to one another. InFIG. 35, the adjustable joints 148 and 150 are adjusted so that the arms154 and 152 are close to being perpendicular with one another but arenot completely perpendicular with one another. However, in otherembodiments, the arms 154 and 152 can in fact be arranged so as to beperpendicular with one another. In FIG. 36, a first microphone 67 may beattached at the adjustable joint 10 that is carried by the portions ifthe microphone stand 132 adjustable by the first adjustable joint 148. Asecond microphone 66 can be carried by the portions of the microphonestand 132 adjustable by the second adjustable joint 150. Although notshown, a column 72 with a base can be attached to the dual mic frame 144to support this component as well.

FIG. 37 shows details of the microphone stand 132 from a side view. Thevarious elements of the microphone stand 132 can be arranged as thosedescribed herein.

Additional details of various embodiments of the present invention maybe found in reference to Applicant's co-pending US Design Applicationfiled on Sep. 26, 2012, having Attorney Docket No. ACC-24-D and USExpress Mail Number EM 545861043 US, and which is incorporated herein byreference.

While the present invention has been described in connection withcertain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subjectmatter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limitedto those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for thesubject matter of the invention to include all alternatives,modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit andscope of the following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. An adjustable joint for use with a microphone,comprising: a ball; a stem that extends from the ball; and a ballhousing into which the ball is located, wherein an edge of the ballhousing defines a slot that has a length that extends along a portion ofa front side of the ball housing and along an entire end of the ballhousing and along a portion of a back side of the ball housing, whereinthe slot is wider at a location at the front side of the ball housingand at a location at the back side of the ball housing than at alocation at the end of the ball housing, wherein the stem is located inthe slot and is capable of engaging the ball housing so as to limitmovement of the ball and the stem with respect to the ball housing,wherein the edge of the ball housing from the front side of the ballhousing to the back side of the ball housing is continuous so as to becontinuous at the end of the ball housing along an entire length of theslot at the end of the ball housing on opposite sides of the slot at theend of the ball housing; wherein a portion of the edge of the ballhousing that defines the slot at the front side of the ball housing iscloser to the back side of the ball housing than a portion of the edgeof the ball housing that defines the slot at the end of the ballhousing.